Bookmark this page. Updates on Salisbury and other cities and towns within Wicomico County will be added to this page each week. Information includes government, events, major roadwork and more.

PRMC puts visitor restrictions because of flu

With the traditional flu season active on the Delmarva Peninsula,

Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury is putting restrictions on visitors to the hospital because of the flu.

The hospital asking anyone with a cold, cough, fever or other flu-like symptoms to please remain at home and not visit patients.

PRMC is also restricting children under the age of 12 from visiting its Special Care Nursery, Pediatrics, surgical floors and general recovery floors. Siblings under 12 may visit PRMC’s Mother-Baby unit after a screening by the patient's nurse; for babies' safety, children with upper respiratory infections will not be permitted to visit.

During the flu season, visitation may be further limited throughout the entire Medical Center depending upon the level of flu activity in the community or within the facility.

Anyone experiencing any emergency-related healthcare need is still encouraged to visit the PRMC Emergency Department for care.

Peninsula Regional Medical Center expects these restrictions to be in place through March.

Salisbury Fire Department awarded $42,000 grant

The Salisbury Fire Department has been awarded an FY 2018 Port Security Grant in the amount of $42,577.00 from the Department of Homeland Security for enhanced maritime operations.

The grant covers two projects which includes a Side Scan SONAR system and a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) RADAR system.

Side Scan SONAR is a device that is dragged underwater behind or alongside a marine vessel. It is able to provide an understanding of the differences in materials and texture type of the riverbed. It is commonly utilized to detect debris items and other potentially hazardous obstructions which can’t be seen from the surface. It may also serve to find wrecks, bodies of drowning/near drowning victims, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) devices, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and is often utilized in evidence collection, such as weapon or drug searches.

Forward Looking Infrared RADAR (FLIR) cameras utilize sensors to detect infrared radiation typically emitted from a heat source to create an image assembled for video output. FLIR is utilized by boat pilots to steer their vessels at night, in fog, or in any reduced visibility situation.

The Port of Salisbury falls under the command of the Port of Baltimore Sector which identified vulnerability gaps in its Port-wide Strategic Risk Management Plan (SRMP). The projects will allow the Salisbury Fire Department to enhance its marine operational capabilities to provide protection to the Port of Salisbury; especially with regard to nighttime domain awareness, and will be available to provide assistance to fire departments in the surrounding region. The individual units will also provide assistance to the Salisbury Police Department (SPD) and Natural Resources Police when requested.

The equipment allows the SFD to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents through its capability to “see” into the darkness to find victims of accidents and/or criminal suspects (when requested by Law Enforcement). It also allows the Department to meet NFPA 1925: Standard on Marine Firefighting Vessels.

The $42,577 award represents 75 percent of the project’s total cost and the equipment is expected to be installed and in service by March.

Beaglin Park Drive work to begin Jan. 17

The work of a private contractor will be affecting the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Beaglin Park Drive, from 810 Beaglin Park Drive Salisbury, MD 21804 to 901 Snow Hill Road Salisbury, MD 21804 in order to perform a water tap.

The work will be performed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning on Jan. 17, 2019 and will be completed by the next day barring any unforeseen complications.

Delays are expected due to traffic pattern modifications. The affected area will be passable to emergency vehicles.

Questions and clarification can be sent to Jeffery Bowman with Delmarva Veteran Builders at 443-736-1584 or Jason Miller of City of Salisbury Department of Infrastructure & Development at 410-548-3170.

City employees will get paid to mentor students with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Salisbury city employees will get paid to become mentors to students across local schools, thanks to a new partnership between the city and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore.

Each employee who joins the program can get paid to mentor a student for one hour every two weeks.

Mayor Jake Day said dozens of employees were interested in signing up after he announced the move at a Wednesday meeting.

Robert McClure, outreach specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore, said the partnership removed a barrier to volunteering for city employees who might otherwise have difficulty finding the time.

"This is a huge opportunity to match a lot of kids who might not otherwise have a mentor," McClure said. "That means a lot more one-on-one time for those who can really use it."

Wicomico GOP seeks Board of Elections candidates

The Wicomico County Republican Central Committee is seeking candidates for the Wicomico County Board of Elections.

The current terms of five members on the Board of Elections will be expiring and with the reelection of Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican Party will have three members on the board.

The local Central Committees of both the Republican and Democratic parties are charged with interviewing and submitting their recommendations to the governor.

The Republican Central Committee is now accepting resumes to conduct interviews to replace the members.

To be considered for appoint to the Board of Elections, each candidate must be a registered voter in their political party and have resided in that county for a minimum of three years.

Candidates also have other restrictions such as they cannot be an elected official or candidate for public office as this is a compensated position at $4,000 per year.

Board members are required to attend regular meetings at both the state and local levels and are charged with overseeing the operation of the Wicomico Board of Elections and the elections themselves.

Candidates must submit a resume by Friday, Jan. 25, to the central committee by mail or email Chairman Mark McIver or any member of the Central Committee.

Submit resumes to mgmciver@gmail.com or they can be mailed to Wicomico County Republican Central Committee, P.O. Box 252, Salisbury, MD 21803. For additional information, contact Mark McIver at 443-735-2836.

Salisbury has second consecutive perfect audit

For the second time in a row, the City of Salisbury had a perfect audit.

The annual Audit Report was returned with no findings, comments or recommendations from auditors, which shows that internal controls are adequate and being followed and that "the financial machine within the City is functioning well," according to a release.

“The city uses its financial policies as guidance for doing business,” said Director of Finance Keith Cordrey. “Adherence to the policies preserves fund balances and keeps the city financially strong. That is why the city enjoys such a strong credit rating.”

The city had a substantial 11.3 percent increase in the Unassigned Fund Balance (which is the spendable portion of city assets). A strong unassigned fund balance helps to ensure the city will be able to sustain itself during difficult economic cycles.

"We see stories of mismanagement, fraud, waste all around us – and our operations are only getting better refined and more transparent," Mayor Jake Day said in a release.

Wor-Wic still accepting students for spring credit classes

The student services office at Wor-Wic Community College is still accepting students for credit classes being offered this spring.

In addition to the regular 14-week spring term that begins Jan. 11, Wor-Wic offers a three-week session, a seven-week session and a 10-week session that also begin Jan. 11, as well as a second 10-week session that begins Feb. 5 and a second seven-week session beginning March 1.

Students interested in taking classes offered during the three-week, the first seven- and 10-week, and the 14-week sessions can register through Jan. 10. Registration for the second 10-week session ends Feb. 4 and registration for the second seven-week session continues through Feb. 28.

Admission, registration and financial aid services are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information or a credit class schedule, visit the college website at www.worwic.edu or call the college at 410-334-2895.

Citizen emergency response training offered in Wicomico

The Citizen Emergency Response Training Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace, and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives.

To take the CERT training you need to contact the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services at 410-548-4820.

The Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee, the local arm of the State Democratic Party, has three vacancies on the committee, one female and two male.

Gender balance members are being sought in accordance with Maryland Democratic Party State Bylaws. All members serve at-large. The WCDCC is seeking applications from registered Democrats who are residents in Wicomico County.

Applicants should be committed to the principles and platform of the Democratic Party and willing to dedicate time and energy to advancing the party in this county.

Applicants should send a letter of intent, bio, resume, and proof of residency to WCDCC, P.O. Box 988, Salisbury, MD 21803 or email to wicomicodems@gmail.com by Jan. 24, 2019, by 5 p.m.

Interviews for the vacancies will take place on Jan. 28, 2019 on the campus of Salisbury University starting at 5:30 p.m. For the full vacancy announcement and to learn more about the WCDCC and what is expected, please visit, www.wicomicodemocrats.com.

Entries will be judged March 16, 2019, in conjunction with the annual Eagle Festival at Blackwater Naional Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge.

Both contest are open to Maryland residents and nonresidents.

A contestant may submit up to three entries in the Migratory Game Bird Stamp contest. The cost is $15 for one, $20 for two and $30 for three entries. Proceeds are used to help fund game bird and waterfowl research and projects.

The Black Bear Conservation Stamp contest is limited to one entry per contestant. The nonrefundable fee is $10 with proceeds used to compensate farmers who experience agricultural damage caused by black bears.

Entries must be original works, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints or photographs.

State police seek clothing, toiletry donations

The Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack is asking community members to donate warm winter clothing and basic toiletries for families in need.

The barrack will be accepting donations from December through January, according to a news release, which troopers will take to local homeless shelters and needy families within Somerset County every other week.

"Given the extreme cold weather, the Maryland State Police wishes to do its part and positively connect with the citizens of Maryland and provide assistance to as many Somerset County residents as possible," the release states.

The following clothing items are being collected in clean, new or like-new condition:

Coats and jackets

Winter hats and beanies

Gloves and scarves

Winter boots and warm socks

These are the toiletry Items being accepted:

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Donations can be brought to the Princess Anne Barrack, located at 30581 Perry Road, and are being accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those with questions, concerns or who want to get involved should contact the barrack at 443-260-3700.